Price excited about new season

RENO, Nev. -- New Texas-El Paso Coach Mike Price said Thursday he was "wronged" but he's moving on after his firing at Alabama a year ago and can't wait for the football season to begin.

"I've been saying 'wait until next year' for a full year and
here it is," Price said in his first appearance at the Western
Athletic Conference's annual media day.

"I can't wait. I'm so honored to have this opportunity," he
said.

"It is like anything else. If something you love and part of
your life is taken away from you for a year, it makes this
opportunity a lot more enjoyable."

Price is suing Sports Illustrated publisher Time Inc. for $20
million over the story that preceded his firing at Alabama. The
magazine is appealing a judge's decision that it must reveal the
identity of a source, an appeal backed by a number of national news
organizations.

"I felt like I was wronged," Price told reporters Thursday.

"So yeah, I'm going to fight it. I don't like to talk about it.
I'm moving on with my life. I have a good attorney to help me
through that," he said.

Price attorney Steve Heninger said topless club dancer Lori
Boudreaux, who received $200 from Sports Illustrated writer Don
Yaeger as cab fare to come to a photo shoot for the article, is the
only person who could have provided information for the story.

Sports Illustrated spokesman Rick McCabe said Wednesday the story had "multiple confidential sources," and the magazine was
bound to protect the identities of all of them.

Price said Thursday he did not believe the ordeal had tarnished
his image with recruits or those people who know him.

"I think it has even strengthened the type of perception people
have about me. I just feel very grateful for all the friends I have
and I realize I really did make a difference in people's lives,"
he said.

"I guess through adversity, come some real positive things,"
he said.

Price said he's quickly fallen in love with El Paso, where the
UTEP Miners have won only two games in each of the last three
years.

"The community has just received us so positive and with so
much enthusiasm," he said.

Price said he introduced himself to his players dressed as a
miner, with a pick.

"I did that because miners are tough. We want to emulate a
miner and we want to strike gold. We are going to get down and
dirty and get grubby and get after it," he said.